LIF Opens Community Center in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]The La Isla Foundation Community Center in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua has officially opened its doors to the public.

The first space in Chichigalpa history dedicated exclusively to ending the epidemic of chronic kidney disease of nontraditional causes (CKDu), the LIF Community Center will serve as a meeting place, resource library, legal office, and launch pad for LIF field work across all departments striving to end the CKDu epidemic.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_slideshow_box images=”4673,4672,4671,4670,4669,4668,4667,4666″ img_position=”center center” slideshow_speed=”3000″ transition_speed=”1000″ section_height=”500″ full_height=”false” full_width_cnt=”true” padding_top=”10″ padding_bottom=”10″][/mk_slideshow_box][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]

Slideshow of Community Center Open House events.

Around the world, Chichigalpa is the city hit hardest by CKDu, with some sectors reporting 68% of men affected by the fatal disease.

“This new community center represents La Isla Foundation’s direct support and empowerment of the communities most affected by the CKDu epidemic,” said Purvi Patel, LIF Chief Operating Officer. “We hope the center will be the linchpin that ties our work in Chichigalpa to wider efforts to make the world understand what is happening here.”

In a series of open house events last month, La Isla Foundation revealed details about what activities, resources, and events are planned for the space in coming months as it begins its operations.

“We want community members to come to the center to take classes, to get to know us, to build long-term relationships, and to continue to tell us their stories. Long-range advocacy needs to be grounded in the experiences of those most affected by this epidemic,” Patel said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://laislanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IMG_1422_1000px.jpg” image_width=”1000″ image_height=”500″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”center” margin_bottom=”10″ svg=”false” group=”_general”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]

The objectives of the LIF Community Center are the following:

1. Strengthen communities – Based on prior research and ongoing experience, promote the stability and build the capacity of sugarcane workers, ex-sugarcane workers, and their families to address the problems affecting their ability to improve their health and achieve self-sufficiency.

2. Share knowledge – Through free programming, improve the community’s access to legal and public health services, and help those affected by CKDu build a better understanding of their legal rights and their right to health.

3. Foster exchange – Provide a venue for community groups to discuss and learn about the CKDu epidemic, and for classes of interest to the community such as exercises in capacity building and autonomy.

4. Gain insight – Through service to the community, improve our understanding of the challenges facing the community, the nature of the disease, and the nature of working conditions.

5. Reinforce connections – Continue building LIF’s relationship with members of the affected community and help strengthen the existing network of local organizations interested in issues related to CKDu.

6. Sound the alarm – Facilitate international and national action on CKDu, guided and advanced by lessons learned in the community.

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